Someone drowns around the world every two minutes, an estimated 300,000 people drowned in 2021.

Children & young people make up over half of drowning deaths globally.

But drowning is preventable – lifesaving actions include learning to swim, supervising children around water & wearing a lifejacket when travelling by water.

In 2023 the WHA committed to accelerating action on global drowning prevention through the adoption of Resolution 76.18.

The RNLI commends the WHO Secretariat for its Progress Report on this Resolution, outlining the formation of a Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention and the launch of a first Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention.

Progress is possible, more action is needed to prevent the needless loss of lives from drowning.

Anyone can drown, no one should